Faith
I am still reading FB Meyer each day. Here is what he has to say on faith.
"Let us not worry about the greatness or smallness of our faith; the main point is as whether it is directed towards the living Saviour. There are many issues to which these words may apply.
(You say):
"If Jesus can save me from the power of sin!"
(I say)
If you can believe, he can.
(You say)
"If Jesus can deliver out of a mesh of temptation and perplexity."
(I say)
If you can believe , he will.
(You say)
"If Jesus can revive his work mightily to the upbuilding of his Church and the ingathering of the lost."
(I say)
No, Jesus can revive his work if you can believe for it.
Do you want that faith? It may be had this way. Look away from difficulty and temptation to Jesus; consider him; feed your faith on its native food of promise; familiarise yourself with fellowship with the promises; study what he has done for others: thus you will believe. For every thought of your little faith take ten thoughts of his faithfulness.
God bless
Carol
Monday, 9 February 2009
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Steps to Holiness
Andrew Bale has downloaded William Booth's "Ladder to Holiness" and it is on his blog at
http://beyondthebrook.blogspot.com/
It reminded me of something I have written out at the back of my Bible. I'm not sure where it originated.
7 Steps to Holiness
Aspire John 7:37
Acknowledge Psalm 51:3 Romans 7:24
Abandon Psalm 66:18
Abdicate Romans 12:1
Ask Luke 11:3
Appropriate 1 John 5:14-15
Act John 14:17-18
We have been shown the way. Let's do it!
God bless
Carol
Andrew Bale has downloaded William Booth's "Ladder to Holiness" and it is on his blog at
http://beyondthebrook.blogspot.com/
It reminded me of something I have written out at the back of my Bible. I'm not sure where it originated.
7 Steps to Holiness
Aspire John 7:37
Acknowledge Psalm 51:3 Romans 7:24
Abandon Psalm 66:18
Abdicate Romans 12:1
Ask Luke 11:3
Appropriate 1 John 5:14-15
Act John 14:17-18
We have been shown the way. Let's do it!
God bless
Carol
Saturday, 7 February 2009
Children
Make way for them -Become like them -Welcome them - Bless them
(Jam Club Kids in the Prayer Room)
Jesus said: "Unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. The greatest in the kingdom of heaven is the one who humbles himself and becomes like this child. And whoever welcomes in my name one such child as this, welcomes me."
Make way for them -Become like them -Welcome them - Bless them
(Jam Club Kids in the Prayer Room)God bless
Carol
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
The Blessing of Fellowship
We're back home after a week away, into which we packed an amazing variety of things and received so many blessings. We might not be the wealthiest people in the world financially but in terms of friendship and fellowship Alan and I must be billionaires.
In the last week we have been able to meet up with colleague officers and share fellowship at Retreat. We don't always agree with one another, sometimes we frustrate one another but as well as debate and discussion there was time to share one another's burdens and encourage each other.
We have been able to spend precious time with Katie and Chris in London and Hayley in Colchester. I am biased but our girls are great and we love being with them. We were leading meetings at Colchester Mount Zion and it was a real privilege to join in their worship, preach the word and instantly connect with the officers John and Pauline O'Driscoll, whose love for the Lord and their people is so transparent. And now we're back and the blessings continue as we re-join our own community here in Pill. It's good to go away and its good to come home.
People who say that they can be a Christian and not go to Church must be mad. They are missing so much. I know that relationships in the Church and in Corps can drive you loopy but the benefits far outway the hassle. Today I am thankful to God for the richness of being a member of God's family.
God bless
Carol
We're back home after a week away, into which we packed an amazing variety of things and received so many blessings. We might not be the wealthiest people in the world financially but in terms of friendship and fellowship Alan and I must be billionaires.
In the last week we have been able to meet up with colleague officers and share fellowship at Retreat. We don't always agree with one another, sometimes we frustrate one another but as well as debate and discussion there was time to share one another's burdens and encourage each other.
We have been able to spend precious time with Katie and Chris in London and Hayley in Colchester. I am biased but our girls are great and we love being with them. We were leading meetings at Colchester Mount Zion and it was a real privilege to join in their worship, preach the word and instantly connect with the officers John and Pauline O'Driscoll, whose love for the Lord and their people is so transparent. And now we're back and the blessings continue as we re-join our own community here in Pill. It's good to go away and its good to come home.
People who say that they can be a Christian and not go to Church must be mad. They are missing so much. I know that relationships in the Church and in Corps can drive you loopy but the benefits far outway the hassle. Today I am thankful to God for the richness of being a member of God's family.
God bless
Carol
Monday, 26 January 2009
A week in the life of.................
Whilst last week saw the momentous inauguration of Presiden Obama, whilst the whole world watch last week for us was one of those weeks that would be good to do as "a typical week in the life of a Salvation Army officer. It was just the usual stuff with the exception of a "real Army" funeral of one of our soldiers.
In this week between us we preached, led worship, we met with officers in fellowship, did books, visited Toddler group, attended a community forum, pastoral phone calls and visits, met in prayer, led a cell group, did the Home League, sorted out some building issues and averted a crisis. Kid's Club, youth cell and youth drop in, selling the War Cry, Coffee Morning, preparation for a lot of the above and a day off.
I write all this not to prove that we have been busy and earning our crust. I learned a long time ago the danger of being driven by activity, that is why our day off is in the weekly announcements. A good friend reminded me a long time ago that Sabbath Rest is a command not an option, if we have time. What I want to say is that this list of activities could have be exhilaerating, exhausting, enjoyable or an endurance test to get through and it wouldn't have mattered a jot if God wasn't in the midst.
However I want to praise God because in this typical week there were just so many times when a a song expressed true worship, when an action became ministry, a conversation became witness and a funny little prayer room became holy ground. And it is the gracious Holy Spirit who did it. I get the feeling that what is sown and tended in ordinary weeks like this are what contribute most to those exciting times of harvest.
Having said all that this coming week isn't typical at all. We're off to Officers Retreat followed by specially at Colchester.
God bless
Carol
Whilst last week saw the momentous inauguration of Presiden Obama, whilst the whole world watch last week for us was one of those weeks that would be good to do as "a typical week in the life of a Salvation Army officer. It was just the usual stuff with the exception of a "real Army" funeral of one of our soldiers.
In this week between us we preached, led worship, we met with officers in fellowship, did books, visited Toddler group, attended a community forum, pastoral phone calls and visits, met in prayer, led a cell group, did the Home League, sorted out some building issues and averted a crisis. Kid's Club, youth cell and youth drop in, selling the War Cry, Coffee Morning, preparation for a lot of the above and a day off.
I write all this not to prove that we have been busy and earning our crust. I learned a long time ago the danger of being driven by activity, that is why our day off is in the weekly announcements. A good friend reminded me a long time ago that Sabbath Rest is a command not an option, if we have time. What I want to say is that this list of activities could have be exhilaerating, exhausting, enjoyable or an endurance test to get through and it wouldn't have mattered a jot if God wasn't in the midst.
However I want to praise God because in this typical week there were just so many times when a a song expressed true worship, when an action became ministry, a conversation became witness and a funny little prayer room became holy ground. And it is the gracious Holy Spirit who did it. I get the feeling that what is sown and tended in ordinary weeks like this are what contribute most to those exciting times of harvest.
Having said all that this coming week isn't typical at all. We're off to Officers Retreat followed by specially at Colchester.
God bless
Carol
Thursday, 15 January 2009
Holiness and the Songbook
Breathe in this could be a long one.
Also before you read any further this is not a blog about worship songs versus songbook songs. I am fed up with that discussion. This is a blog about changing attitudes towards holiness as revealed in the reprints of the SA songbook.
Under the title The life of holiness, the current SA songbook (1986) has the following contents listed,
Challenge
Consecration and service
Praise and thanksgiving
The previous songbook (1955) under the same title lists the contents as:
The call to holiness
Seeking holiness
Consecration and service
Holiness enjoyed.
We have the 1930 edition and an even earlier edition than that and under the life of holiness the following contents are listed
The call to holiness
Seeking holiness
Consecration
Faith and trust
The Holy Spirit
Holiness enjoyed.
Somewhere over the years the direct call to be holy has become just a challenge for the adventurous. We no longer seek holiness as an experience to claim. Crisis has become process rather than crisis and process. Consecration is still there with the addition of service. That's Ok I suppose but there is a danger here. It is so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that service is consecration. I believe it is impossible to be fully consecrated to God and not serve him and others but it is perfectly possible to serve without our hearts and lives belonging totally to God.
What about faith and trust? There is still a section in the songbook with this title but it now comes under the Salvation Soldier section which gives the idea that faith and trust are needed in order to keep going in the battle. That is absolutely true but faith and trust are also bound up with living the life of holiness. The old songbooks put faith and trust under holiness, and the ability to stay firm and true in the fight under comfort and guidance.
FB Meyer, gets it right when he says, "There are three steps to this blessed state, wholeness of the soul. First we must believe that it is attainable, for we will never feel morally bound to do, attempt or choose what we do not believe to be within our reach, Second we must consecrate our selves to God. We must resolve to break off from every known sin and we must believe that God does accept the consecration we have made and will do what he has promised by infilling us with the Holy Spirit and working in us that which is pleasing in his sight."
As for holiness enjoyed? Well we do have praise and thanksgiving and actually most of the songs are the same. So am I going to complain? Well yes I am because the songs express a holiness enjoyed and if they do why not say so? Giving the title praise and thanksgiving could cover a million subjects and I feel that the title reveals a nervousness about declaring an experience of the blessing of holiness. Either that or we kept the songs in for nostalgia sake.
What to do?
Well the old songbooks reflected what God was doing in their day. They were songs written in response to preaching, teaching and experience. So I am not advocating a petition to re-instate the 1900 edition of the Songbook but praying for the day when God's people are hearing a clear call to holiness, are seeking it, consecrating themselves, believing for it and enjoying it. Then I believe the Salvation Army, Kingsway, Mayhew and the rest will all have to include holiness sections in their musical publications for the new songs that will be written out of the expectation and the experience that is all around.
God bless
Carol
Breathe in this could be a long one.
Also before you read any further this is not a blog about worship songs versus songbook songs. I am fed up with that discussion. This is a blog about changing attitudes towards holiness as revealed in the reprints of the SA songbook.
Under the title The life of holiness, the current SA songbook (1986) has the following contents listed,
Challenge
Consecration and service
Praise and thanksgiving
The previous songbook (1955) under the same title lists the contents as:
The call to holiness
Seeking holiness
Consecration and service
Holiness enjoyed.
We have the 1930 edition and an even earlier edition than that and under the life of holiness the following contents are listed
The call to holiness
Seeking holiness
Consecration
Faith and trust
The Holy Spirit
Holiness enjoyed.
Somewhere over the years the direct call to be holy has become just a challenge for the adventurous. We no longer seek holiness as an experience to claim. Crisis has become process rather than crisis and process. Consecration is still there with the addition of service. That's Ok I suppose but there is a danger here. It is so easy to fall into the trap of thinking that service is consecration. I believe it is impossible to be fully consecrated to God and not serve him and others but it is perfectly possible to serve without our hearts and lives belonging totally to God.
What about faith and trust? There is still a section in the songbook with this title but it now comes under the Salvation Soldier section which gives the idea that faith and trust are needed in order to keep going in the battle. That is absolutely true but faith and trust are also bound up with living the life of holiness. The old songbooks put faith and trust under holiness, and the ability to stay firm and true in the fight under comfort and guidance.
FB Meyer, gets it right when he says, "There are three steps to this blessed state, wholeness of the soul. First we must believe that it is attainable, for we will never feel morally bound to do, attempt or choose what we do not believe to be within our reach, Second we must consecrate our selves to God. We must resolve to break off from every known sin and we must believe that God does accept the consecration we have made and will do what he has promised by infilling us with the Holy Spirit and working in us that which is pleasing in his sight."
As for holiness enjoyed? Well we do have praise and thanksgiving and actually most of the songs are the same. So am I going to complain? Well yes I am because the songs express a holiness enjoyed and if they do why not say so? Giving the title praise and thanksgiving could cover a million subjects and I feel that the title reveals a nervousness about declaring an experience of the blessing of holiness. Either that or we kept the songs in for nostalgia sake.
What to do?
Well the old songbooks reflected what God was doing in their day. They were songs written in response to preaching, teaching and experience. So I am not advocating a petition to re-instate the 1900 edition of the Songbook but praying for the day when God's people are hearing a clear call to holiness, are seeking it, consecrating themselves, believing for it and enjoying it. Then I believe the Salvation Army, Kingsway, Mayhew and the rest will all have to include holiness sections in their musical publications for the new songs that will be written out of the expectation and the experience that is all around.
God bless
Carol
Wednesday, 14 January 2009
No offence
"Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." Matthew 11:6
FB Meyer has this to say about this verse,
John the Baptist was tempted to take offence with Christ first because of his long delay in asserting himself as the promised Messiah and secondly because of his apparent indifference to his own welfare. .......................
But the Lord made no attempt to emancipate his servant (John) and he seems to be unmindful of our sore straits. All he did for John was to send him materials on which his faith should feed and rise to a stronger, nobler growth. Jesus does not attempt to apologise or to explain he only asks our trust and promises blessedness to those who do not stumble at life's mysteries."
Wise words
God bless
Carol
"Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." Matthew 11:6
FB Meyer has this to say about this verse,
John the Baptist was tempted to take offence with Christ first because of his long delay in asserting himself as the promised Messiah and secondly because of his apparent indifference to his own welfare. .......................
But the Lord made no attempt to emancipate his servant (John) and he seems to be unmindful of our sore straits. All he did for John was to send him materials on which his faith should feed and rise to a stronger, nobler growth. Jesus does not attempt to apologise or to explain he only asks our trust and promises blessedness to those who do not stumble at life's mysteries."
Wise words
God bless
Carol
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